This Romanian study measured cadmium, iron, manganese, and zinc in seeds of five hemp varieties under different fertilization and seeding-distance treatments. Only hemp seeds were analyzed; inflorescences were not measured. Cadmium concentrations in all varieties and all treatment conditions exceeded the Romanian maximum allowable limit for food (0.300 mg/kg) by 6 to 11 times.
Key numbers
Seed cadmium concentrations (Table 3; mg/kg dry weight; average across seeding distances and fertilization treatments per variety): Zenit approximately 1.9, Diana approximately 3.1, Denise approximately 3.4, Armanca approximately 3.0, Silvana approximately 3.3 mg/kg. All varieties exceeded the Romanian maximum allowable limit of 0.300 mg/kg. [VERIFY table check]
Seed iron: approximately 1,596 to 1,859 mg/kg across variety and treatment combinations. Seed manganese: approximately 72 to 96 mg/kg. Seed zinc: approximately 51 to 69 mg/kg, all below the Romanian maximum allowable limit of 170 mg/kg. Lead, arsenic, and mercury were not measured.
Methods (brief)
FAAS (Varian 220 FAA); acid digestion; seed matrix only. No CRM reported. No LOD/LOQ table.
Evidence fitness
This study applies to hemp seed products, not hemp flower or inflorescence. It is not routed to cannabis-flower because matrix is seeds. The elevated cadmium in Romanian hemp seeds is consistent with cadmium uptake from phosphate-fertilized soils. The study is relevant to hemp seed oil and hemp seed products if those pages are created. Lead, arsenic, and mercury are absent from the analyte panel, limiting direct comparison with cannabis-flower studies.
Limitations
Seeds only; no inflorescence data. Only four metals measured; no lead (Pb), arsenic (As), or mercury (Hg). No CRM. Older AAS methodology with higher LODs than ICP-MS. Romanian-specific varieties and soil conditions.
Related evidence
Update history
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